Listening to Family Caregivers: The Need to Include Family Caregiver Assessment in Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Service Waiver Programs

Produced by AARP Public Policy Institute

This research was supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation and the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Administration on Aging. This report presents findings from a 50-state survey examining how well the needs of family caregivers are assessed when states evaluate the needs of older people and adults with disabilities who qualify for home- and community-based services (HCBS) programs under Medicaid.

It is the first detailed analysis of family caregiver assessment tools and processes in use by the states in Medicaid HCBS 1915(c) and 1115 waiver programs. Forty-six states plus the District of Columbia responded to the initial survey, a 92 percent response rate. Interviews with key informants were conducted in 13 states.